This Coca-Cola ham requires just 4 ingredients to be made. This spiral-cut ham is paired with mustard, brown sugar, and Coke poured all over. Sweet, tangy, and perfect for slicing and serving your family or a crowd this holiday season. This ham recipe is one that once you try it, you might never want to make ham any other way.

Coca Cola Ham on a wooden platter with garnish around it

This is an oven-baked ham recipe that literally is loaded with flavor. The cola glaze you drizzle on top of the ham adds incredible flavor to each bite of the ham. Slice up and serve with your favorite sides and devour bite by bite.

This cornbread salad is a great side dish to pair with your ham! Or even whip up this cheesy corn in your slow cooker for a simple side dish.

ham dinner on table with bottles of coke sitting by the rest on ham on platter

Reasons Why You Will Love This Coca-Cola Ham

This ham recipe only takes 4 ingredients. It is very easy to make.
The cola glaze is sweet, and tangy, and compliments the ham perfectly.
Oven-baked ham that takes minimal effort on your part.
This cola ham can be served up during the holiday season or as a meal for the family during the year.
Reach for a larger ham so it serves a crowd! I used an 8-10 pound ham for it.

Ingredients

Ham – I used a spiral-cut ham for this recipe. You are welcome to use whatever type of ham you have on hand. The key is to make sure you follow the method on how to ensure it is fully cooked.

Coca-Cola – Reach for the classic Coke for this recipe. The sugar in the Coke helps to create that sweet and sticky texture. I find that Diet Coke can be used but it won’t be near as tasty.

Mustard – Dijon mustard is used but feel free to use a spicy mustard, classic yellow mustard, etc. You will find switching the type of mustard alters the flavor a bit.

Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar is used to add extra sweetness and help make the glaze stick to the ham.

Variations

Citrus

You can add some orange zest or even orange juice to the glaze. Then garnish with orange slices for a nice citrus twist. It will balance out the sweetness. Lemon would be an option.

Herbs

Consider mixing in some fresh thyme or sage to the glaze. It will add a nice earthy element to the glaze. Then garnish with additional herbs around the platter for a stunning presentation value.

Bourbon or Whiskey

Add a splash of your favorite bourbon or whiskey to the glaze. It will add a deeper flavor that offers a smoky component. Ensure to cook off the alcohol in the pan before you add to the ham.

Maple Syrup

Go a bit sweeter and use maple syrup in addition to the brown sugar. Do half brown sugar and half maple syrup. Or replace all of the brown sugar with maple syrup.

Preserves

Raspberry, cherry, or pineapple would offer a nice sweet flavor to the ham. Pour 1/3 cup of preserves in the glaze and then pour over and bake the ham the same way. If you use the preserves you can do half the brown sugar as the preserves are pretty sweet.

spiral ham on wooden platter with salt and pepper behind it and coke

Liquid Smoke

Add a few drops of liquid smoke into the glaze to really bring out a smoky flavor to your glaze. It will richen up the ham tremendously.

plate and fork with a ham dinner on table with bottle of coca cola on side

Tips for Success

Prep Ham

Make sure that your ham is fully thawed before you start to bake the ham. Then score the ham with a sharp knife, making a crisscross pattern in the ham. This is going to allow the glaze to penetrate deeper. Plus it offers a gorgeous presentation value.

coca cola glazed ham and sides on a white plate on table

Classic Coke

For this recipe, you are going to find that classic Coke is what you need. The coke adds flavor but it also tenderizes the ham. If you use Diet Coke it can leave an aftertaste to the meat but also the sugar content won’t create the same texture to the glaze.

ham on a platter on table with coke bottles in the background

Simmer Glaze

Make sure you allow the glaze to simmer so it reduces and becomes a bit thicker in texture. This is going to ensure you get the glaze that helps to stick but also soaks in and adds incredible flavor to the meat.

table setup with ham and fixings around it

Internal Temperature

Make sure that your internal temperature of the ham reaches 140-145 degrees F. Most hams are fully cooked but you still need to ensure the ham reaches proper internal temperature so it is safe to eat.

Allow Ham to Rest

Once you are done cooking the ham, allow it to rest for 15-30 minutes. You can place foil over the top like a tent to help keep the ham warm. Then after it has rested, slice and serve. This helps lock in the juices so your ham is not dry.

Slice Against The Grain

One tip when you go to slice the ham, go against the grain. This is going to offer the most tender ham for serving up your family and friends.

Storing Ham

Make Ahead: Feel free to make this a day ahead of when you want to serve it up. Just refrigerate and keep in the fridge until you are close to serving. Then cover and warm up in the oven until it is fully warmed.

Refrigerate Leftovers: You can also refrigerate any of the leftover ham for 3-4 days. Just place it in a sealed container in the fridge. Then reheat and use as you wish.

Freezing Leftovers: Freeze any of the ham you do not plan to eat. Just store in the freeze for up to 4-5 months. Then thaw in the fridge or defrost in the microwave and then eat as you would like.

side overhead view of ham on platter with cranberries around the platter

FAQs

What type of ham should I use for Coca-Cola ham?

Reach for a fully cooked ham. Bone-in tends to be juicier and offers more flavor, but boneless is good as well. So purchase what you and your family would prefer.